For McCain, Days of Chaos, Improvisation and Drama

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McCain and Palin Continue on the Trail

Republican presidential candidate John McCain campaigns in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Meanwhile, running mate Sarah Palin visits with world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

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House Minority Leader John A. Boehner was "really pissed," said one participant in the meeting with McCain. Boehner felt as if he had been set up for an "assault" at the White House, the participant said.

"McCain dials him back," a top aide said. "Explains how it was important for something to be done."

McCain's discomfort with the $700 billion plan was clear, but throughout the week, he refused to be pinned down by either side. "He didn't advocate for a particular group or plan. He advocated for the right process and is pleased that it appears it's underway," an adviser said.

Once Boehner had announced plans to name a negotiator Friday morning, McCain returned to his Arlington County headquarters and prepared to leave for the debate in Mississippi.

At 11:49 a.m., McCain's campaign alerted the media to gather at 12:30 for the trip to Oxford, officially restarting the campaign and abandoning efforts to delay the first presidential debate.

McCain arrived at the debate site several hours before its 9 p.m. start, having flown to Memphis, Tenn., and boarded his Straight Talk bus for the 1 1/2- hour drive to the University of Mississippi.

But despite all the chaos of the week, and the last-minute arrival -- or, perhaps, because of it -- McCain was especially aggressive during the debate, describing Obama as a neophyte who "doesn't understand" the issues that the next president will face.

McCain advisers proclaimed themselves pleased by their candidate's performance, saying it will help to shift the campaign discussion away from the difficult week that just ended.

"It was a very tough debate, but I don't think our candidate went over the line," Salter said. "He stayed on offense in a respectful way."

But the campaign was not quite ready to move on this weekend. McCain flew back to Washington early Saturday, canceling an Ohio visit so he could remain part of the bailout negotiations.

But McCain did not go to Capitol Hill, preferring to make calls from his headquarters.

"He can effectively do what he needs to do by phone," Salter said. "He's calling members on both sides, talking to people in the administration, helping out as he can."